Solar Spread—For Opening to the Light
Having escaped from the Garden, and now free from the Wheel of Death and Rebirth, you gain the path to the Mountain of the Sun. From here you can at last see the whole of your journey so far and even some of the journey ahead. All is clear in this place, and you can enjoy the beautiful light of the soul of the Sun, illuminating every step. This is the place of the Tarot Adept.
Soundtrack for the Journey
“Send Me an Angel” (Scorpions)
Take the Wheel card out of the deck and place it in the centre of the table. Place the Sun card on top of it. This represents the Mountain of the Sun.
Take all the tens, nines, eights, and sevens out of the deck. Place them in four piles—the tens in one pile, the nines in another, etc.
Take the World, Last Judgement, Moon, Star, Temperance, Hanged Man, Devil, Blasted Tower, and Death cards out of the pack and place them in a pile.
Shuffle the four tens face-down whilst considering the question, “what is my light?” Select one, placing it face-up above the Wheel.
This card indicates your light in the world of action and manifestation.
Shuffle the four nines. Select a card and place it face-up below the Wheel.
This card indicates your light in the world of your inner self and dreams.
Shuffle the four eights. Select a card and place it face-up to the left of the Wheel.
This card indicates your light in the world of your mind and learning.
Shuffle the four sevens. Select a card and place it face-up to the right of the Wheel.
This card indicates your light in the world of your emotions and heart.
Consider these four rays of the Wheel of the Sun.
Now, pick up the pile of the nine major arcana and shuffle them. Ask “What blocks my light?” and consider how you avoided the temptation indicated by the previous Gate reading of the Garden of Desires. Select one card. Place this on top of the Sun and Wheel cards in the centre of the table.
Take a moment to interpret how this major acts through your behaviour to block your light. Make a note in your journal of this reading and also write down at least one behaviour or attitude you will work on to free your light from this block over the next week.
Having seen your journey thus far in the rays of the Sun and a little of the journey ahead, we can make our way to the next landmark, the Ancient Coliseum, the sixth gate of our journey. However, be aware that you must work on your blocks—the next gate is a trial of spirit, and you will have to travel light to accomplish its task.
Finding Yourself Giving and Taking • A Place of Charity
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Resonances Numerology: 74/11 Astrology: Kabbalah: Sabian Symbol: Taurus II—A Red Cross Nurse (Selfless Service) |
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Quick Connections Affirmation: In giving of myself I receive blessings from above. Meditation: “It is not the act of giving that counts, but your motivation.” |
The Lesson of the Six of Pentacles
Narrative in Time (Day 2)
Today we consider the Six of Pentacles. We have seen already how we can analyse a card by looking at all the various symbols on it. Today we will look at how to weave a narrative whilst reading several cards together.
Firstly, we’ll look at the Six of Pentacles as someone giving charity and receiving recognition. It is a card of resources.
Now let’s take that idea and put it onto a flow of cards. Obviously, the word “resources” can be modified to “resourced,” “resourceful,” and “resource.” This is one problem with Keywords—they teach people one fixed word, and the sentences they then try to create get skewed to fit the word, rather than the other way around!
So let us see this card in a few different locations in a spread and consider what we might say:
In the outcome: “So, in summary, you should gain resources from a benefactor.”
In the past: “Having been resourceful in your affairs, you can now move forwards.”
In the future: “You will find yourself easily gaining the resource you require.”
Now let’s combine the card with another in a sequence. Have a go at putting a sentence together for the Seven of Cups and the Six of Pentacles today. Do it in one or any of the below ways:
- [Seven of Cups] and [Six of Pentacles]
- [Seven of Cups] however [Six of Pentacles]
- [Six of Pentacles] if [Seven of Cups]
- [Six of Pentacles] so [Seven of Cups]
- [Seven of Cups] when [Six of Pentacles]
Example: if I were to do [Seven of Cups] if [Six of Pentacles] I would write:
You may be [beguiled by illusionary success] if [you take assistance from others].
The Card in Your Life/Reading
Careerwise & Financially this card indicates the need to further your ambition by sharing with others. You may wish to delegate your work, share rewards, or allow other people to take some credit at this time. Your charity will be rewarded, and the scales will tip your way. The Six of Pentacles in a career question shows perfect balance in your favour. All is well. This card is also a card of grants and loans, and it may indicate the need to apply for such in order to further your work.
Healthwise this card indicates that necessary assistance will be received in fair measure. Although it may be slow and appear restricting, what is given to you at this time (no matter the source) is perfectly reasonable under the circumstances. This card shows a balancing of the scales to achieve an improvement or settling as related to your health.
In Relationships this card indicates the need to equally share the rewards of the relationship. It may be that the power balance in the relationship—particularly with regard to finances—has become upset. You need to ensure that your resources, whether they be time, attention, or finances, are equally shared. If you don’t, the relationship will fare far worse than it needs to.
In Travel & Lifestyle this card indicates a need to ensure that you can stretch limited resources in order to secure the travel or lifestyle you expect. It may be that you will need to depend on the generosity of others in order to enjoy life at this time. The appearance of this card indicates that such outside help will be offered to you.
In Education this card indicates the requirement to sort your finances and put your house in order to concentrate fully on your learning. There will be no exciting developments at this time but rather a slow and steady pace.
In Spiritual Awareness & Self-Development this card demonstrates how the world always gives us exactly what we need rather than what we expect or desire. It is a card that shows we can learn from the experience of the world as it really is in order to learn more about our relationship to the world itself.
You are blocking this card today by:
1. Being selfish
2. Not sharing your good fortune with others
3. Not showing appreciation where it is due
4. Not spending
Connect to Your Card
Donate to a charity. Support someone with a gift. Give some love.
The Six of Pentacles Says
“Look at me: I have achieved status and wealth and am now in a position to give something of value to others. This something of value isn’t just money; it can be delivered in many forms, such as scholarships, the sharing of experience, mentoring, or volunteering. What abilities do you possess that can be used in a positive way? The sharing of value could involve volunteering your skills to support a charity. It is important that you closely examine your motivations for wanting to do this—is it entirely for selfless reasons or are you trying to create a good impression? Are you trying to buy approval or acceptance? Are you just wanting to be liked?”
Keywords
Welfare, compensation, return, resources, sharing, charity, gifts, gratitude, loans, grants, assistance, dispensation, philanthropy, material success, prosperity, gratification, ambition, aim, generosity, consideration.
Expecting New Horizons • An Examination of the Journey
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Resonances Numerology: 60/6 Astrology: Kabbalah: Sabian Symbol: Aquarius II—A Popularity That Proves Ephemeral (A Need for Self-Approval) |
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Quick Connections Affirmation: I can look to longer-term horizons at any point in my journey. Meditation: “Wherever you go you take yourself along, so before you leave become a better you.” |
The Lesson of the Six of Swords
Narrative for Two-Card Readings
Today we consider the Six of Swords and a simple spread for practicing a two-card narrative. If we have the Six of Swords in a one-card reading, the querent may want to know what to do as a result. We simply take the next card from the deck to answer this question.
So what does it take for someone to make that next step? Pull a card from your deck and use it to explore what it is that takes someone from the Six of Swords onwards.
Let’s use the Six of Pentacles as an example. In order to make that step from the Six of Swords, someone has to know that his or her endeavours will be fairly rewarded—in a very real and practical sense.
The Card in Your Life/Reading
Careerwise & Financially this card indicates the work required to make progress at this time. There is no immediate reward; however, it remains in sight. You must be prepared for a long journey in order to fulfill your ambition. You should also be prepared to make waves and expect the journey to be hard. That being said, do not change your course or plans midway, for you are set on the right path.
Healthwise this card indicates the need to make do with your present circumstances and make the most of what you possess. It can also signify more literally the need to move away from your current environment by taking a break or a holiday even if getting there will take hard work.
In Relationships this card indicates that you are struggling to take the situation forwards because it always appears that you are doing all the work. This can often go unrecognised by others so it might be a good idea to share your inner thoughts with those who are closest to you. They may be able to assist you and not work against you as is the present circumstance.
In Travel & Lifestyle this card indicates movement away from one situation to another which will be in your benefit. Whilst it is important to keep your goal in sight, you should be prepared to work hard for longer than originally anticipated in order to achieve your goal. If you are travelling with others, do not expect them to share the load.
In Education this card indicates a change of attitude to make the work less burdensome. You may be pushing the wrong direction and perhaps need to organise your revision or learning in some other way. However, it is important not to disrupt things too much at this stage so you may just feel that it is time to push on regardless.
In Spiritual Awareness & Self-Development this card shows that we make our own future from the thoughts and memories of the past. Whilst these cannot be removed entirely we can choose to create a better future by reframing the events of the past as learning experiences.
You are blocking this card today by:
1. Giving in to circumstances that are not of your liking
2. Staying where you are and wallowing in your stuckness
3. Seeing things in the same old negative way
4. Believing the world owes you a favour
Connect to Your Card
Travel over water. Take a trip. Let someone else drive—literally or metaphorically.
The Six of Swords Says
“Moving on and being progressive in your thinking is the best possible solution at this moment in time. Use your good sense of reason to navigate yourself through these emotional times. Once you have covered the distance and are back on your feet, you can start afresh in a whole new world.”
Keywords
Holiday, passage, representation, transition, relocation, removal, change of attitude, recovery, earned success, merit, moving away from immediate danger, fleeing, labour, journey, stalemate, envoy, expedient, way, route, recovery, new perspective.
Imagining Childhood Wishes • The Creation of Memory
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Resonances Numerology: 46/1 Astrology: Sun in Scorpio Kabbalah: Sabian Symbol: Scorpio II—A Fellowship Supper (Kindred Spirits |
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Quick Connections Affirmation: In every way the day can be seen through innocent eyes. Meditation: “Childhood is paradise lost, never again will we experience our life through such rose-tinted innocence. We are left with the remnants of our childhood self in the form of memories.” |
The Lesson of the Six of Cups
Narrative for Eight-Card Reading
Well now, eight cards together?! Don’t forget that 8 is just 4 x 2. We know how we can compare two cards and come up with a “gestalt” in a single word. We can do that with two pairs (four cards) and then combine the two words to make one word and so on with 4 x 2
cards. Let’s try that with the eight cards we have, as pairs. Don’t worry, this isn’t how we have to do it all the time, it’s just a good way of learning!
- Ten of Swords + World = Finality
- Four of Cups + Eight of Cups = Doubt
- Ten of Cups + Three of Wands = Expectation
- King of Swords + Tower = Disaster
- Finality + Doubt + Expectation + Disaster = Turmoil (or Shock)
Another possible word might be “catastrophe.” Interestingly, when we come to look that word up, it comes from two Greek words, meaning “to overturn.” We can certainly see that in this reading!
The Card in Your Life/Reading
Careerwise & Financially this card indicates a gift from the past, such as an inheritance or benefiting from the loss of another. You should receive any gifts with a carefree attitude and not gloat too much at others’ misfortune. This card can also indicate the need to put money aside all into projects that bring you amusement and enjoyment. You should stop for a moment and enjoy the freedom that money can buy … without overspending.
Healthwise this card indicates a return to the past and the importance of our emotions in securing stable health. It often shows the need to return to those things we once enjoyed in order to gain (or regain) a positive outlook on life.
In Relationships this card indicates a childlike expectation of what the relationship can offer. You may be applying immature feelings and seeing the other person through rose-tinted spectacles. Whilst this may be a convenient position for the moment, it will not hold out in the long term. There may be deeper patterns from your own childhood at play that should be recognised.
In Travel & Lifestyle this card indicates new surroundings in old places. It can signify a return to the past and a reconnection to the enjoyment of the previous time. You may be surprised by just how easy it is to return to the patterns and places of your own childhood. In other circumstances this card can signify a blast from the past which surprises you in the present moment.
In Education this card indicates the importance of memory in your studies. It is a sort of halfway house in which you must consolidate all that you have learnt to date. Do not make plans to move forwards until you have absorbed your learning so far. You may wish to create something from your experience and gift it to another or make a presentation about your progress thus far.
In Spiritual Awareness & Self-Development this card is a profound reminder of how the past creates our future. Indeed, the past of the entire world shapes our own possibilities. Whilst it is a backwards facing card, it shows us that we must connect to our memory of the most pleasant things in order to positively shape our future. It can also indicate karmic ties between people.
You are blocking this card today by:
1. Being cold and clinical
2. Being ruthless in achieving your happiness
3. Being destructive and creating disharmony
4. Being afraid of commitment
Connect to Your Card
Visit a place from the past either in reality or through old photos.
The Six of Cups Says
“Take time out to be more childlike in how you relate to others. Try drawing on the simplicity of that time in your life when you did not have the responsibilities you have now. In regard to your a significant other, what attracted you to this person? What triggered that first flutter of attraction? Try to focus on this to inject more harmony into your relationship.”
Keywords
Appreciation, immaturity, gift, past, pleasant memories, new surroundings, innocence, karmic ties, sentiment, nostalgia, reminiscence, affection, playfulness, childhood, goodwill, harmony, memory, equilibrium.
Working Towards Recognition • The Expression of Victory
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Resonances Numerology: 32/5 Astrology: Jupiter in Leo Kabbalah: Sabian Symbol: Leo II—Early Morning Dew (Starting Afresh) |
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Quick Connections Affirmation: Today brings its own recognition of my accomplishments. Meditation: “Remember, never rest on your laurels. It is when we flatter ourselves with our success that we go off guard and expose ourselves to threat. The Laurel leaves of victory shrivel and die; the glory of success is short lived.” |
The Lesson of the Six of Wands
Narrative for Eleven-Card Reading
Today we take a whole sequence of cards and weave a story, noticing how with additional cards our first cards may change meanings altogether, or some aspect of each card gets drawn into sharper focus. This is due to the multivalent nature of symbols—a blindfold can mean guilt in one instance yet refusing to see the obvious in another. It can mean lies in one case and hiding in another, and so on. All symbols have this nature, and this is essential for tarot to work! It is important not to learn a single symbolic meaning for any image or object, but at least two alternatives so you leave your mind free to create even more when reading in the context of different cards and questions.
- Ten of Cups
- Eight of Cups
- Four of Cups
- The World
- Ten of Swords
- Three of Wands
- King of Swords
- The Tower
- Five of Swords
- Knight of Wands
- Seven of Pentacles
That’s eleven cards now, and from tomorrow we’ll see how they change when we put them into positional reading spreads (with a meaning for each location, i.e., “future,” “past”) such as the Celtic Cross. We’ll then have a break with looking at novel ways of reading individual cards for a few days, and then start to do some really interesting things with our deck.
Here’s an example reading narrative for a new business question in terms of those cards:
The business commences well, doing well, providing a good service to the community (Ten of Cups). However, the people running it will become over-ambitious, becoming unhappy with their lot and the rewards (Eight of Cups). They don’t feel rewarded for the work and things go backwards (Ten of Cups to Eight of Cups). They are offered an opportunity which will offer security but they hesitate (Four of Cups) because they don’t want to lose sole control (the World). They find themselves in a fixed and stuck position with loans, stuck in a rut (Ten of Swords).
So they call in a business advisor (Three of Wands) who looks at the export market. He reasons with them from authority and advises clearly (King of Swords). They need to make sudden change and act immediately! (The Tower). They have to clear some of their loans first (Five of Swords) by selling some things of value (Knight of Wands). Whilst not entirely profitable, things hold fast whilst they take stock of the situation.
The Card in Your Life/Reading
Careerwise & Financially this card indicates a position of victory and leadership. You can be assured that your team will follow you or your project will gain success. In finances this is a card of steady investment building on the success of the past. However one must be careful not to become too sure of oneself before the final gate is crossed. Ensure you have a contract in place.
Healthwise this card indicates the support of others, particularly in your home life. It is important to take advantage of the support of those who truly believe in you and your accomplishments. Whilst the battle may be over, the victory celebrations are still ahead.
In Relationships this card indicates that your own values are recognised by your partner or by those around you. Your friends support your choice. It indicates that you can make steady progress in your relationship but do pay attention to the opinions of those around you or you may get too carried away.
In Travel & Lifestyle this card indicates opportunities of amusement and recognition ahead of you based on all that you have done so far. However, it is important to keep an eye on what drives you because there is a slight chance it may shift underneath you and throw you from your position.
In Education this card indicates that your work is appreciated and people are supporting your progress. You must ensure that you keep a tight rein on your own drive and resources to ensure steady advancement towards your final goal.
In Spiritual Awareness & Self-Development this card shows the importance of holding on to values and bringing other people along in the spiritual journey. However, it can indicate falling into a position of false dignity or pride where we must be assured that our vision and values are still true. We might also need to be encouraged to hold on to those values.
You are blocking this card today by:
1. Behaving like a sore loser
2. Not having any ambition
3. Not taking the credit for an important achievement you have made
4. Failing to be rightfully assertive when the occasion requires you to be
Connect to your Card
Go horseback riding. Polish your trophies. Get good feedback. Celebrate with others.
The Six of Wands Says
“Times are pretty good at the moment, and you have achieved success in what you set out to do. You have to be wary, however, of experiencing a sense of dissatisfaction after experiencing the heady heights of success.”
Keywords
Elevation, dignity, amusement, victory, leadership, good news, triumph, acclaim, vindication, self-assurance, pride, domesticity, desire, disloyalty, efficiency, apprehension.
Accuracy • Meeting Your Measure
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Resonances Numerology: 11/2 Astrology: Libra Kabbalah: |
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Quick Connections Affirmation: There is a reckoning to the world which abides with me at all times. Meditation: “One man’s justice is another man’s woe.” |
The Lesson of Justice
Three-Card Spread (Do or Do Not)
Today we will take three cards and place them into fixed positions for a three-card reading. This one we will fix into an unambiguous spread for a clear-cut question. Perform the reading with the knowledge you have gained from the last few weeks, and simply answer the question, “should the person do it or not?”
It’s a yes/no question. Even if either option has more detail from the reading, decide yes or no. The question is “I have been offered a job overseas. Do the cards say I should go?”
Here’s the three-card spread and the cards in each position:
- What I should do: Three of Wands
- Safe bet/middle path: Blasted Tower
- What I should not do: Four of Cups
Try to boil it down to a yes or a no—should the person go or not?
The Card in Your Life/Reading
Careerwise & Financially this card indicates the need for accountability, particularly in terms of gaining contracts, judgements, and legal settlements. It is a card that shows justice will be given as fairly as possible, but to some extent the matter is out of your hands. The card suggests you present your case as clearly as possible so that justice may be served.
Healthwise this card indicates a balance and harmony will enter in your life. Though you may have to adjust, it will be easily done. There is a sense of balance and settlement to the situation in hand.
In Relationships this card indicates a fair measure of understanding between all involved. Each person is taking proper responsibility, and there is a need for objectivity and disclosure in order to see the matter is settled.
In Travel & Lifestyle this card indicates that whilst there may be trials ahead, all will be judged in your favour should you be open and honest in your travels and dealings. This card indicates the need to be transparent in your affairs to achieve a full settlement.
In Education this card indicates the need to be fair to yourself and your own abilities to make progress in your course. You should weigh what you are gaining in both the short and long term of your studies to assess whether you should continue in this way or not. This is also a card of testing and examination; it shows a fair assessment will be reached.
In Spiritual Awareness & Self-Development this card teaches us that equilibrium is at the heart of the universe when considered over time. All things have their balance and it is up to us to learn to see that balance and the scales of justice in all human activity. This requires us to transcend our own boundaries of space and time.
You are blocking this card today by:
1. Not being judgemental
2. Giving a biased response to something which should be entirely objective
3. Being unfair and unreasonable without giving the issue at hand proper consideration
4. Letting your emotions entirely rule your decision making
Connect to Your Card
Make a decision one way or another. Watch a courtroom drama. Learn about the law.
Justice Says
“It is crucial to be objective in regard to decision making, we must not let these decisions be clouded by our own personal agenda. It is easy to fall into the trap of responding in a knee-jerk reaction to a problem that needs solving. It is advisable to take a step back and evaluate the situation at hand.”
Keywords
Fair play, law, reason, debate, deliberation, accuracy, judgement, balance, well-balanced mind, equilibrium, harmony, fairness, accountability, contract, settlement, integrity, justice, responsibility, decision, accuracy, karma, trial, honesty, arbitrator, adjustment, equity, rightness, balance, retribution, punishment, truth, objectivity, impartiality, equality.
Choice and Blessings • Every Moment a Decision
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Resonances Numerology: 6 Astrology: Gemini Kabbalah: |
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Quick Connections Affirmation: I relate to the world in joyful choice. Meditation: “By putting the well-being of your other half first you do not become second but one with the whole.” |
The Lesson of the Lovers
Three-Card Spread (Simple Soul Mate Spread)
Moving on, today’s exercise is a simple three-card reading about relationships. Now that we have started to look at the cards and different ways of looking at them, we will do a few spreads, with all the cards—even those we have not yet looked at specifically …
Today’s spread is called the Simple Soul Mate Spread:
- Card 1: What half of me does the other person complete?
- Card 2: What will we create together?
- Card 3: What half of the other person do I complete?
I wonder about the connection between the Four of Wands celebration and the Three of Cups celebration. They are both celebratory, and it seems several cards celebrate life in some way or another—such as the Ten of Cups as the most obvious celebration of domestic bliss.
The Four of Wands seems to belong to a celebration of lifestyle, values being rewarded—or living up to one’s ideals. In fact, this reminds us of the root of celebration, to be “numerous” or “thronged,” well known and celebrated, from which we get of course “celebrity.” A celebrity should be someone who has lived up to his or her values so clearly that the person is instantly recognised and respected—this is the potential in the Four of Wands I think of when it comes up. The card suggests there is an opportunity of celebrity (rather than a celebration in itself) by living up to one’s values and being true to oneself.
I suspect that later, wands cards will show the struggles that being true to one’s values can bring!
The Card in Your Life/Reading
Careerwise & Financially this card indicates the difficulties of choice and cooperation. However, it is often a card that signifies success in our affairs and an unexpected blessing from above. If we have to partner with others, this is a card that denotes a mutually beneficial relationship. It can, however, signify temptation, in which case one’s career and finances will suffer accordingly.
Healthwise this card indicates the need to commit to a long-term relationship with one’s own body in order to achieve a healthy situation. There are difficult choices to be made, and the temptation will be to take the easier path. However, we should consider the long-term implications of any decision at this time and also trust opinions of those closest to us.
In Relationships this card is of course the most positive card to receive in relation to this topic. It shows the ideal situation of love where two people are in perfect harmony and union. There is perfect attraction, love, and beauty. The union is blessed from above.
In Travel & Lifestyle this card indicates that each choice you make will lead you down a different road, and it is important not to succumb to the temptation of the most immediate choice. There are dangers ahead, and you must carefully choose what you feel is the right thing deepest in your own heart.
In Education this card indicates positive inspiration leading to a new connection to your chosen subject which will open your relationship in unexpected ways. There may be choices to make as to how you move forwards in your studies; you should ensure you take the longest term view possible.
In Spiritual Awareness & Self-Development this card represents the alchemy of relationship to the world and to the divine. In a harmony of the inner and outer worlds, a true connection can be created which is divinely blessed.
You are blocking this card today by:
1. Putting yourself first in every way
2. Relating from the head alone, not the heart
3. Avoiding communicating your needs to a loved one
4. Not listening to the needs of those close to you
Connect to Your Card
Be a lover, not a fighter. Do something romantic. Go someplace where you might meet someone special.
The Lovers Says
“We are aligned with unity and cooperation. We are at one, and can embody love and life. There is a need to be open and transparent in our relationships; nothing should be held back, even if emotional expression exposes us to feelings of vulnerability.”
Keywords
Union, harmony of inner/outer, inspiration, sharing, duality, ordeal, temptation, decision, blessing, attraction, cooperation, trial, choice, harmony, love, beauty, completeness, commitment, relationships, marriage, friendship, reunion, integration, separation, polarity, passion, alchemy, sexuality, bond, contrast, antithesis, divorce.
Power • The Application of Force
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Resonances Numerology: 4 Astrology: Aries Kabbalah: |
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Quick Connections Affirmation: I am in command of my own intentions and embrace my will in the world. Meditation: “To rule without the might of power is like a ship with no wind to sail by.” |
The Lesson of the Emperor
Eight-Card Spread (Dawn Spread)
Today we will put our knowledge into a new daily practice called the Dawn Spread. It is the ideal spread for learning to put cards together from your own experience on a daily basis. Its design replicates the shape of the sun on the horizon.
In the morning, shuffle your full deck and lay out the cards in the shape of a sunrise on the horizon as follows:
The Dawn Spread
You can see the positions:
1. Morning Influence
2. Afternoon Influence
3. Evening Influence
4. Friends & Colleagues
5. Finances & Rewards
6. Lesson of the Day (What to Observe and Learn)
7. How to Get the Best Day (Advice Card)
8. What to Avoid (Warning Card)
At the end of the day, review your day in your journal and compare it to the cards and what you originally interpreted in the morning. This way you will soon build up a feedback loop that creates a good “pre-telling” sense in your head. You’ll know what the cards are likely to mean at the end of the day in review when you look at them in the morning! You’ll be learning how to tell your fortune and install a priori intuition.
Today’s card for our lesson is the Emperor. Let’s have a quick look at the card in each of these eight positions, sort of like we only had a deck with that one card in it.
1. The morning will give you opportunity to get known as someone forceful.
2. The afternoon brings a strong current of which you can take advantage.
3. The evening requires that you have the right and appropriate responses at hand.
4. Your friends and colleagues will demand a lot of energy from you today.
5. There are impulse purchases and sudden decisions with regard to money ahead.
6. By the end of the day you will learn where it is best to apply yourself.
7. When in indecision today, always remember the Emperor would go for it.
8. Avoid getting into any dealings which require your energy.
The Card in Your Life/Reading
Careerwise & Financially this card indicates energy and authority. You must take the initiative and drive your own ambitions forwards at this time. This is not a time to be shy or retiring—make bursts of energy happen. The trick with this card in career and finances is to put your best foot forward in as many different projects as possible until you find the one that meets your requirements.
Healthwise this card indicates both energy and structure. You must apply your energy to only those things that are under your control and authority. This may require you to withdraw from other activities which are under the rulership of others.
In Relationships this card indicates a passionate energy and drive that brings new levels of activity to the relationship. It can also signify domination by one person over another in a negative manner. If both partners are equally enthusiastic, this is an extremely positive and powerful card to receive a question of this kind.
In Travel & Lifestyle this card indicates an initial burst of energy and enthusiasm which may not be able to be sustained in the long term. It can signify leadership and taking charge of matters by bringing them under your own control. This is not a time to rely on other people to fulfill your ambitions.
In Education this card indicates status and structure. It is time to toe the line and fit within the established hierarchy in order to make progress. You must find your own position in the power structure and within the subject itself.
In Spiritual Awareness & Self-Development this card pictures the raw energy that creates the world in all its forms. This is the beating heart of the universe and the heart of every star. You are one of those stars. Your energy is boundless—the question is where are you going to direct that energy in your life?
You are blocking this card today by:
1. Not owning your power
2. Failing to delegate to those around you
3. Not being self-assured
4. Not being assertive
Connect to Your Card
Take control and lead. Ask people to do something. Organise an event.
The Emperor Says
“Exercise your authority and maintain your boundaries. Otherwise, you may find it difficult to maintain order and control. You must muster your drive and ambition, and always be the initiator of new ideas. Lead by example. Remember, you are the master of yourself first and foremost. If you cannot manage yourself, there is not much hope for managing difficult situations.”
Keywords
Rock solid, force, stubborn, endurance, authority, paternity, leadership, reason, self-mastery, martial arts, status, structure, society, regulation, domination, order, rulership, command power, stability, power, support, certainty, development, ambition, commanding, form.
Finding Yourself as Your Own Path • Becoming Your Own Lantern
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Resonances Numerology: 9 Astrology: Virgo Kabbalah: |
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Quick Connections Affirmation: I am guided by my own star, far from the voices of others. Meditation: “You can be alone even in the company of others if you are lost to yourself.Withdraw and find the light within.” |
The Lesson of the Hermit
Fourteen-Card Spread (Lucky Week Spread)
As we expand our ability with the cards, for today’s lesson we’d like to share a new method from an old book, 30 Different Ways of Card Fortune Telling by Zodiastar. This book was originally published in 1936 and contains a wealth of methods for divination by using playing cards. We’ve taken inspiration from many of them and adapted them with a tarot twist to get even more information available from the spreads.
Here is one example of what we term in Tarosophy a split spread, in that it divides out parts of the deck for different parts of a reading/spread.
The Lucky Week Spread
1. We use only the minor cards for this reading. Select out the minor cards (ace to ten of each suit) so you have all forty of them.
2. Take out the Nine of Cups (Nine of Hearts in the original method) and place it on the table. In effect, this acts as a significator for the reading.
3. Shuffle, cut (if you wish), and select out the top seven cards, placing them face-down in a semi-circle above the Nine of Cups.
4. Shuffle again, cut, and again select seven more cards, laying them on top of the cards already laid out, so you have seven pairs of cards.
5. Turn over each pair, either all together or a pair at a time, and read as follows. They stand for each day, so the first pair is the day following the reading, the next pair the next day, and so forth.
6. The rules are simple (in the original)—a pair of red cards is a good luck day, a pair of black cards is a bad luck day, and one of each red and black is a mixed day or neutral day.
7. That is to say, in tarot:
- Wands = Diamonds = Red
- Cups = Hearts = Red
- Swords = Clubs = Black
- Spades = Pentacles = Black
You can use your own correspondence system if you prefer. This is a typical one as used by A. E. Waite and others:
8. If you had the Seven of Wands and the Two of Cups, that would be a good luck day, whilst the Three of Swords and the Ten of Pentacles would signify a bad luck day. Having the Five of Cups and the Seven of Swords as a pair would be neutral.
9. Zodiastar advises us not to plan significant events on bad luck days, and plan our projects for the week around the foretold good luck days. Try it and see what happens!
10. For even better practice in our tarot, we can of course then read the pairs of cards as if in a normal reading, foretelling the nature of the good/bad luck (or the nature of a neutral day) and act to avoid the bad luck, mitigate it, or even repurpose it in some way, whilst making the best of the good luck.
The Card in Your Life/Reading
Careerwise & Financially this card signifies your best option is to withdraw from others and find success in your own way. You may require privacy and seclusion in order to achieve the results you want all to see things clearly. This is also a card of coaching and mentoring as well as presenting your own vision to others so that they may follow your footsteps to success.
Healthwise this card shows that you must take time to meditate and contemplate on your own condition. You may wish to seek retreat to a place where you can have peace and quiet. This card shows that you must return to your own vision of health and lifestyle away from the opinions of others.
In Relationships this card indicates how important it is to remain true to yourself and walk in your own path. This card shows the relationship can succeed best if you share your vision with the other person and they agree to walk alongside you.
In Travel & Lifestyle this card indicates a powerful time when your own path will lead you to the places you need to be. This is a card of the inner quest and an important reminder that we can be self-sufficient and independent whilst still making our way in life.
In Education this card indicates the need to withdraw and protect yourself from the influences of others so you can remain open-minded to the learning available to you. This card signifies that you may know more than you think and your experience can guide you more clearly than you recognise. It is also a card that shows you can set an example to others by sharing your own light.
In Spiritual Awareness & Self-Development this card is a deep and profound symbol of how our own vision guides us on the path until we become the path itself. Staying true to our own values, we are led forwards by our quest for higher places in order to open the way for others. We must be assured that we be a good example.
You are blocking this card today by:
1. Being outgoing and leery
2. Being arrogant
3. Being tactless
4. Being very needy and possessive
Connect to Your Card
Spend time by yourself. Go for a walk. Avoid invitations. Enjoy the peace and quiet. Stay silent.
The Hermit Says
“Leave me alone. I need time away from the noise of the world to find answers. I cannot show you the way, your way is your own. It is for you to look within and find your own purpose in life.”
Keywords
Frugal, simplicity, shy, humble, solitude, wisdom, guidance, open-mindedness, contemplation, meditation, withdrawal, deliberation, study, patience, introspection, retreat, discretion, circumspection, isolation, quest, protection, prudence, loneliness, pilgrimage, searching, quiet, silence, privacy, detachment, acceptance, seclusion.